In January, I tried the night train in F, JHB to Sentral KL. The routing to get there was fairly convoluted since I had flown in on Air Asia from KK (Kota Kinabalu), took a taxi to the former Pan Pacific, had dinner there since I had a 5 hour layover, took a taxi to the JB train station and boarded there.

I agree that the ride is definitely not smooth. I had a two-berth compartment to myself. One can also book both bunks to ensure not room partner. The TV did not work, but who cares at midnight? I still have the 2 meal tickets since I got only something to drink after departure and before arrival. The train was about 1.5 hours late into Sentral. Although the 1st class coach is non-smoking, no one polices the policy and thus I suffered for a number of hours inhaling the chain-smoker's next door second hand smoke. The rooms are not airtight, not even close.

Sleeping was not easy. Beware that the train stops at a couple of stations other than Sentral before reaching it. I awoke in a panic since the train was sitting in a station at the scheduled arrival time. Fortunately, looking out the window verified that the train was not at Sentral.

The best thing about the trip was the ability to walk across the street to the Hilton at 0830, check-in to the executive floor and immediately have breakfast in the lounge. Hilton KL treats golds and diamonds quite well even that early in the morning.

Would I do it again? Probably not. The bus sounds like a better option even when arriving at JHB. Although it is tough not to be able to walk directly to the Hilton and having to deal with the KL taxi mafia instead. There is a bus from JHB to Larkin where one can pick up the executive bus to KL.